Dedza, Malawi – The Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) through the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (Cadecom), with support from Caritas Italiana, has provided relief assistance to families affected by disaster in Kasina, Dedza District, as communities continue to recover from a disaster that struck earlier this year.
The flooding, which occurred on 24 January 2026 after hours of heavy rainfall, was triggered when runoff from the nearby Dzenza Hills caused mudslides and flash floods that destroyed homes, swept away crops, damaged roads, and displaced several families.
The assistance was distributed on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, with each affected household receiving fortified corn-soya flour and K100,000 in cash to support recovery efforts.
Speaking during the distribution exercise, the Director of the MCCB Social Development Directorate, Reverend Father Patrick Kamba, said the Church acted in solidarity with the suffering communities through support mobilised through Caritas Italiana.
“As a Church concerned with the integral development of every human person, we could not remain indifferent to the challenges faced by the people of Kasina. Through support received from Caritas Italiana, we have been able to provide practical assistance to families affected by this disaster,” he said.
Father Kamba expressed concern over environmental degradation in the area, noting the link between ecological damage and increasing vulnerability to natural disasters.
“The well-being of humanity and the well-being of the environment are inseparable. We encourage communities to work together to restore tree cover and protect our common home so that similar disasters can be prevented in the future,” he added.
Reverend Father Peter Lufeyo, Vice Rector of Kasina Spiritual Formation Centre, said the floods were caused by intense rainfall that sent water and debris cascading from the hills.
He noted that deforestation around the Dzenza Hills had worsened soil instability and increased surface runoff, heightening the risk of recurring disasters.
Group Village Headman Kasina acknowledged the devastating impact of the floods, which left many households without food, livestock, and essential belongings, and expressed gratitude for the Church’s intervention.
One of the beneficiaries, Agnes Chimoto, described the assistance as a source of renewed hope for affected families.
“I am deeply grateful for this assistance. After the disaster, I was left devastated and uncertain about the future, and I never expected to receive such support. Through this intervention, my children have received the help they needed,” she said.
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